BR 3-15: London

It is a big, beautiful, noisy, and exciting city. More than eleven million visitors come every year from countries all over the world. (p.40)

     How come London has been developing so much until now? It is one the most nominated countries in the globe. Today, I would like to share my idea about  the question with you, adding my experience in Singapore and Japan. 

     Londoners have respected and symbolized their Royal family and the Thames as Japanese people set the emperor and empress the central pillar instead of the specific religion. Let's take a look at a famous spot, Kensington Garden which is located to Hyde Park. There is a playground called Princess Diana, who lived near here in Kesington Place, and where a lot of children's jolly voice can be heard continuously. As is well known, while she was alive as the princess, her life must have repeated ups and downs. She gave a birth the two loving boys who are now Prince Charles and Prince William, however her destiny could not have been changed at ease since she was part of the nation's important lady. On the other hand, she was also a fine lady and desired to fall in love seriously and live with a dear partner without obsession about the status. The two aspects of Diana as a mother of the princes and a beautiful lady has been struck in the citizens' mind, and the custom seems now to be sort of their identity. 

     The main river would always be the origin of the nation's prosperity. The first Globe Theater along the river was constructed at the time when the Queen Elizabeth the First was on the throne. In 1997, an iconic writer in England Shakespeare's Globe Theater opened, and people watched his work's play with huge applaud. In addition, Tate Modern facing The Millennium Bridge having 88 rooms of twentieth century and twenty-first century exhibits something new and attractive all the time such as Picasso, Pollock, Rothko and many more. 

     London has similar points with Singapore and Japan in some ways. Singapore has a long history with the Singapore River and Marina Bay. As well known in the world, Merlion Statue is a definite symbol there, and local people admire it in the same way of the Royal Family in England. It shows not only one of the favored areas in Asia, but includes their hope that it is not going to have a miserable history like being invaded and abused by others who are approaching with spite against peace in Singapore. From these perspective, I could say every country has own their symbol which means sometimes their consolation, hope and goal which become the origin of development.

Escott, John. London. (2008). Oxford, UK; Oxford University Press.

BR 3-14: Skyjack!

She was shouting now, and nearly crying - there were in tears in her eyes. (p.38)

 
     When people make a illegal decision, what background do you think they have hidden? Skyjack! tells us a poor girl and her brothers' miserable childhood and adolescence through their big crime.

     Harald and Carl is on the plane as usual - they enjoy chatting, having a coffee and taking a rest until they reach a country. Suddenly, a gentle young hostess holds  a gun and starts threatening the passengers. The hijackers including the girl belong to a crime family and they desire to set their brother who are arrested in the country free. The Prime Minister, Helen would not like to hurt the passengers as much as possible because some of the passengers are relevant to the foreign keys such as America and England. Thus, she decides to pretend to set their brother free and shoot the hijacker. Will her plan go right? Moreover, what roles do Harald and Carl make to learn the hijacker's past? I would like you to pay attention to them. 

     This time I will focus on the viewpoint of the characters. Through two-year-reading at PUK,  I have realized this kind of lively and speedy stories are told by the each character's setting and point. For example, while Harald and Carl's story is going on, Helen's plan are being shown. However, it is tough for the readers to catch the exact time without tips, so the author puts the third person's conversation (it is a short explanation which implies the two stories' order) to make the whole chapter more simple and well-organized. In contrast, the stories which aim at showing the logical and subjective aspects are written by the third person's view such as Alice in Wonderland. As matter of fact, the readers can get the characters' feeling, setting and plan by their conversation, however the storyteller is essential to draw the mysterious and childlike Wonderland briefly. When you read books, it doesn't hurt to see the construction of the story? 

Vicary, Tim. Skyjack! (2000). Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. 

     

BR 3-13: Go, Lovely Rose and other stories

Hi there. Christmas Day is approaching. Have you arranged any special plan with your friend or family? When it comes to Christmas Day, an image of love comes to my mind, therefore I'll talk about loving story from a father's perspective.

'Too young to go away by herself,' he thought crossly. (p.4)

     Every beautiful moon night, Mr Carteret is suffered from a strange feeling. He and his wife has a adorable daughter, Susie. Every one says their daughter is so matured that she can go anywhere on her decision and date with a handsome guy. However, as often the case with ordinary fathers, Mr Carteret doesn't want to admit his daughter has grown up to a great lady and soon possibly leaves them. At one cozy night, the undesirable thing happens for him. His daughter is not at home, and he is getting uneasy and starts pacing about in the street. He sees a car coming nearer and nearer and stopping in front of him. A nice man shows up from the car and says his daughter dines supper out with his family and forgot time. The man apologizes him so politely calling Mr Carteret sir. He is getting feel somewhat comfortable and realizes that his daughter has eyes to choose an appropriate man. After all, his concerns disappear. 

     Do you think what is got with you? Of course, yes!! As we get from the story, every parent is concerned that when, where and who is with you all the time. However, their deep thought can not be touched easily because they tend to stay calm and not upset as usual. What I can tell you when you hang out with someone on Christmas Day until midnight is tell your parents something better to make them reassured beforehand. 

 Bates, H. E. Go, Lovely Rose. (1989). Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. 

BR 3-12: The Bronte Story

As I went to the graveyard, the church bell began to ring. It was ringing to tell Haworth and all the world that Charlotte Bronte was dead. (p.55) 

     The Bronte sisters (Charlotte, Emily and Ann) are one of the well-known writers in the world. As many noted writers grew up under poor and severe home and experienced terrible war or infectious disease, they also had miserable childhood and youth. When they were so small, her mother and elder sisters, Maria and Elizabeth died of disease. Therefore, they were raised up with their father and aunt. To make up this awful pit, they were getting into making their own world in their stories. A box of toy soldier which their father bought to them was modeled after the characters in the stories. They created Angria and Gondal villages and had a good time at every night. This is the start of their achievement and works. 

     The most controversial thing is that they used pen name to publish their books. According to Charlotte, nobody wants to buy books written by women, so the sisters used men's names (Currer, Acton and Ellis ). As matter of fact, their books were sold more successfully than their father ( He also published a book, but the result wasn't desirable). The sisters protected against the readers at that time to tell them women was able to write something and had as intelligent ability as men. I couldn't possibly imagine why women had better pretend as men because I've never felt gender segregation as severe as the sisters. However, in terms of academic situation and workplace, I've heard women are looked down by others. Therefore, the sisters' life asked women to live strongly, I think. 

Vicary, Tim. The Bronte Story. (1991). Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.